could very well be the Harry Potter of YA mystery books. Set in 1950 England, the book's heroine, Flavia de Luce is sure to steal your heart. A precocious eleven-year-old with a love of chemistry, Flavia finds herself in the midst of a murder mystery. She sets out to solve the crime and clear her Father's name. In the process, she discovers more about her parents and about herself than she had bargained for.
The writing is excellent and flows with great ease. The Advance Reading Copy I received was 370 pages long, but moved at such a quick pace that it felt half that. This book was one that lingered in my thoughts even after I'd pause and put it down. The humor is perfectly adapted to be well in line with Flavia's character. The mystery unfolds expertly, never divulging too much, keeping the reader interested, and all the way seeming absolutely reasonable. I dislike crime novels that string a plot along until the mystery is solved and everything tidied up in the last 5 pages. This book is nothing of the sort. Bradley delivers snippets of information in small doses, so the reader feels that they, along with Flavia, are uncovering the truths in a natural way. I, for one, cannot wait for Bradley's next book featuring more adventures with Flavia.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
is a great read, one I'm positive that both my mother and my 11-year-old nephew will enjoy as much as I did. I am getting this in the mail right out to them, so that they may be entranced with Flavia and Bradley's writing.
Your blog was mentioned as A Book Blogger’s New Discovery by Misc. Ramblings.
ReplyDeleteI can see why. :)
I've been hearing so much about this book, I'm just going to have to break down and add it to my already teetering pile o' books to read!
ReplyDeleteI'm just now getting around to visiting the blogs of all the people who stopped by my blog last month during my giveaways. Thanks so much for being one of those blogs. I really enjoyed yours and I'm sure I'll be back for another visit soon!
Hi Estela
ReplyDeleteI can't find an email address for you, so please forgive me intruding on your comment wall. I’d like to invite you to write about your favorite books at www.bookdrum.com, where you can add information, images, video, music and links to illustrate and explore the books.
Right now, we're running a $3,000 Tournament and we'll be offering contract work to the best entries.
Best wishes
Hector Macdonald
Editor, Book Drum
Hey!! I am following you n ow from MBC. I really like your blog!
ReplyDelete